The world is dying lost…what are we doing about it? I do not ask this question to indict anyone because I have as much responsibility in altering this course as anyone else. However, I do ask this question to illustrate a worry that I have among many New Testament Christians – we have no vision. I don’t know how many people have a vision beyond the security of their own soul. I don’t know how many people have a vision beyond the safety of their own family. What about those who have no vision beyond the soundness of their own congregations? Where is the vision for the world?
This is the Divine term of the Great Commission, is it not? “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…” (Matthew 28:19). I do not believe that concern is the problem besetting many. But the Christian’s responsibility toward the lost of the world extends far beyond mere concern. It demands action. And that action demands vision.
How often have you heard a person lament the unconcern of the world because they haven’t flocked in throngs to our big beautiful buildings outside of which we hang signs that say “Visitors Welcome.” What about those who would refuse to read a tract whose content might be marvelous but whose design is as outdated as some people’s methods of evangelism? How come people just won’t respond to our snide jokes or railing attacks on matters they hold near and dear as major cornerstones of their lives?
The problem with each question above is not the intention. We want to reflect the best to our communities so we attempt to keep our buildings as beautiful as we can. We want our neighbors to feel that they would be welcome to come so we post appropriate signage. We want people to be impacted by the wise words found in some literature. We want people to be made aware of the folly of their error even though it may have been beloved beliefs in their families for generations. The intention is common and godly. We do these things because we are concerned for the souls of men and we want them to be saved. But they often don’t work because they have no vision.
In the New Testament times after Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection the apostles and their converts worked to teach the 1stcentury gospel to the 1st century people with 1st century methods. The gospel has not changed, cannot change, and must not change (Revelation 22:18-19). But why is it that many Christians today insist on taking the same 1st century gospel to our 21stcentury people using 19th or 20th century methods and expect people to knock them down in their run to the baptistery. Friends, the gospel is always relevant but sometimes people don’t see its relevance because of our approach.
I thank God for the many visionaries who have stepped out in faith to blaze paths and use every outlet available to project, broadcast, or personally take the gospel to a lost and dying world. We have the greatest task and responsibility that we could have ever been given – take the whole gospel to the whole world. At the end of the day all we can do is what we are able. But let’s challenge ourselves to step outside of our areas of comfort and find new ways and use fresh ideas to take that same soul saving gospel to the world. Let’s develop vision!
-Andy Brewer